English Reference
Noun

intensification

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced US /ɪnˌtɛnsəfəˈkeɪʃən/ UK /ɪntˌɛnsɪfɪkˈeɪʃən/ in·ten·si·fi·ca·tion UK spelling intensifications

n.the process of making something stronger, more severe, or more intense. It describes when a feeling, a sound, or a situation becomes much more powerful.

n.the process of increasing the degree, force, or severity of something. Often refers to the escalation of conflict, the strengthening of a storm, or the deepening of a sensory experience.


SIMPLE

The intensification of the storm caused heavy damage to the coast.

CONTEXTUAL

The intensification of trade between the two countries led to a significant increase in economic growth for both.

COMPLEX

Linguists often study the intensification of adjectives in modern speech, noting how speakers use 'very' or 'extremely' to emphasize points that might otherwise seem mundane.

The decline is particularly pronounced for farmland birds, while grassland butterflies continue to face strong pressures from agricultural intensification and land abandonment.

Phys.org· 25 Aug 2026

This constraining effect of atmospheric dryness is potent enough to offset the rainfall increases driven by storm intensification.

Phys.org· 24 Aug 2026

From intense + -ification.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated